# From curiosity to connection: Mark Coxon’s route into AV

## An unexpected route into technology

Mark grew up in Arizona and Idaho and initially wanted to become a veterinarian. His interest in zoology did not turn into a straight path through AV. A job fair instead led to selling Intel-based equipment through IBM Direct.

## Learning in the messy middle

He began without a computer science background. When customers asked technical questions, he sought answers from specialists and then asked why those questions mattered. Curiosity helped him connect product knowledge with the customer’s actual work.

## Connection before completion

The conversation returns to a simple test for presentations and customer engagements: did you make a connection, or merely finish the material? The point is to understand people and help them solve a problem.

Based on the B4Obvious conversation with Simon Dudley.

Full conversation: https://b4obvious.com/interviews/02-mark-coxon/